Equalizing mechanism.



0. P. HIDDEN. vIJQUALIZING MEGHANISM. APPLIcATIoN Hmm Jn.sz,`1o`o.

' Patented June 8, 1909.

WMM-waas bottle capping machines. In t ese machines,

UNITED STATES VPATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES HIDDEN, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO STANDARD STOPPER COMPANY,

OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW AJERSEY.

EQUALIZING MEcHANisM.

Speciiication 'of Letters Patent.

Application led. January 22, 1906. Serial No. 297,204.

Patented .Tune s, 1909. i

To all 'whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES P. HIDDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented 4certain new and useful Improvements-in Equalizing Mechanism, fully described and represented in the following speciication and the accompanyi drawings, forming a part of the same.

his invention relates to certainimprovements in mechanism for producing equalized pressures.

In certain types of machines, the article to be operated u nis located between a pair of pressure proiicing heads, or a pressure producing head and an abutment, as, for instance, 1n certain styles of resses and in it is frequent y desirableto operate one or both of the pressure producing heads by mechanism which has a constant stroke. If,

y however, the stroke of the mechanism is such as to produce a given pressure on the article when an article of a given length is between the heads, it follows that if a longer article is to be operated upon, either the stroke of v the mechanism must be adjusted or some means be provided for permitting the mechanism to run without changing the relation ci the heads. l

It is the object of this invention to produce a new and improved pressure e ualizing vdevice for use in pressure pro ucing machines, which is simple in construction, positive in its operation, and bywhich a certain predetermined pressure can' be produced and maintained without danger of having the pressure rise above the predetermined oint.

vWith this and other objects not specifically referred to in view, the invention consists iin certain constructions, and in certain parts, improvements and combinations as will be hereinafter fully described 'and speciiically set forth.

Referring to the drawings-Figure 1 represents lin sectional elevation a construction embodying the'invention. Fig. 2 is a sec tional view on an enlarged scale illustrating the details of construction of the pressure controlling mechanism. Fig. 3 is a section of the pressure controlling mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2, the plane of section being at right angles to thev plane of section of that of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 1s a view similar to be driven in an it is to be understood that the invention may f be embodied in machines of varying types or kinds.

The particular machine selected to illustrate the invention embodies a pair of pressure producing headsl 1 and 2, one of which, in the machine shown, serves as a support or rest on which the bottle to be capped is placed, and Ithe other of which serves to force the cap, which is thereafter locked upon the bottle by a suitable mechanism, down to its seat preparatory to the operation of the cap locking devices. While the head 2 might be stationary, in the particular construction shown, it has a limited movement. As shown, this headis mounted upon a stem 3 said stem being provided with a collar 4 which 'serves as a support for a spring 5, the other end of which bears against the under side of a 4cap 6. This cap 6, in the machine shown, is threaded in a casing 7 which serves to contain the head, stem and other oper-A ating parts of the machine. The upper end of the stem projects through the cap 6, the stein being maintained in position by a suit.- able adjusting nut 8. The upper end of the stem is arranged to .strike a stop screw 9 tapped intoa bracket 10'rising from the ca 6, said screw serving to limit the upwar motion of the stem. v

' Machines embod ing the invention ma have either or both of the pressure hea s moved by the drivin mechanism. In the construction shown, owever, the head 1 upon which the bottle rests is thus moved.`

The operating or driving mechanism from a shaft 11 having-a crank thereon', the crank in the construction shown being formed b a pin 13 mounted on a disk 14. The cran shaft, when a crank shaft is employed, may suitable manner, as, for instance', by a driving pulley 15. Inasmuch as the crank has a constant stroke, it would tend to produce, and, if directly connected to the head or part which is operated, by

connections of an ordinary character, would produce a movement o f that part which would be of a constant or predetermined extent, theexten of stroke bearing a determined relation to the eccentricity of the crank. It will be readily understood, however, that if the crank and 'connections were designed to impart to the movable member, or to both members, of the pressure'producing -pair of heads, a constant stroke which is adapted to produce a predetermined pressure on a bottle of given length, which pressure would be .the pressure required to seat its cap thereon, the insertion in the machine of a lon er bottle would result in crushing or `breakmg thev bottle. To adapt the machine, therefore, to the capping of bottles varying in length, a pressure equalizing device is employed.

In the machine which has been selected to illustrate the invention, the equalizing mechanism is included in the connections between the crank and the movable art 1, though it might be otherwise located.) Where, as in the present construction, the equalizing mechanism is included in the connection between the operating or driving mechanism and one of the pressure heads, it will be of such a character that the full force of the stroke of the driver will be transmitted to and operate to produce a movement of the head of sufficient extent to produce a pressure upon the bottle suiicient to efectually seat the cap thereon, after which the continuance of the driving stroke will not change the relative position of the heads or materially increase the pressure upon the bottle.

The articular construction of equalizing mechanism may be varied within wide limits. As shown, this mechanism includes a thrust member the form and construction of which may be varied within wide limits. It will,

however, include two members which are in is formed to l 'thrust block 1s secured by means of screws yplunger is guided in the lower part of a casing 20, this casing'being guided in a casing 21 which forms a part of the machine frame. In order to keep the parts in proper relative position a securing device, as, for instance, a screw 22, may be provided, this screw taking in a channeled way 23 in the plunger. The thrust block may be secured .to the plunger in any desired way. As

illustrated, t e upper end of the plunger 18 provide a fork 24 in which the 25, in any other suitable manner. While the configuration of this thrust block 'may be vwidely varied, in the best constructions, it

Awill consist ofha block rovided with a double. inclined bearing ace 26 and with inclined sides 27. A

The member which is in shiftin contact with the thrust block may be wide y varied in construction and will vary accordin to the particular construction of thrust b ock employed. In the articular construction shown, this coperating member consists of two bent levers 28 which inthe best construction will be provided on the ends which are to contact with tlie thrust member with rolls or other anti-friction devices 29. While these levers may be mounted i`n any suitable manner, in the particular construction illustrated, they are pivoted at 30 to a carrier in the form of a stud or pin 31.

In the particular construction illustrated, the mechanism is designed so that after a predetermined pressure is brought upon the head 1, the thrust block will act upon the levers 28 to spread the same, thus permitting a movementof the head to release the pressure, so that it may not rise beyond the lock and bent levers, when the mechanism in which the invention is embodied includes these devices, taking lace against a resistance such as that agorded by a suitable spring. In the best construction, furthermore, when-a spring is employed, it will be normally under stress. The .means for mounting the spring and the various connections by which the results desired are accomplished may be varied within wide limits. In the particular construction illustrated, there is provided a casing 32 which extends upward and bears against the under side of the head 1. It may be here remarked that thehead 1 is provided with a depending flange 33 which` takes over the upper end of the casing 20, the head being secured to the casing by means of screws 34, or in any other suitable manner. The lower end 35 of the casin 32 forms an abutment and inside this caslng is located a s ring 36 which rests at one end against this a utment.

' Suitable connections which ma be varied in character are provided for t e purpose of transmitting the force of the spring, when this form of resistance is employed, to the other parts of the equalizing mechanism., As shown, there is provided a sleeve 37 which is secured to the carrier 31, the upper end of struction, this shoulder and ball collar forming, in the particular construction shown, an abutment for the other end of the spring. As has been before pointed out, in the best constructions, the spring will be normally under stress, and in theconstruction illustrated, this is eected by a proper adjustment of the sleeve 37 with respect to the carrier or stud 31. Various means may be provided, if desired, forvarying the adjustment of the parts to vary the stress of the spring. In the particular construction shown, the head 1 is provided with a depending lug 41,

this lug being slotted, as at 42 (see Fig. 3),l

and in this slot is located across pin which is secured in the sleeve 37. The screws 34 before referred to engage in a groove 45 (see dotted lines vin Fig. 1). When it is desired to vary the adjustment of the parts so as to vary the stress of the spring, the head 1 is rotated, this movement causing the sleeve 37 to be moved up or down upon the threaded portion of the carrier 31. A lock screw 46 is or may be provided to secure the lug 41 in position in the head 1. The spring 36 being normally under stress, it w1ll be seen that it acts to draw the carrier, which moves loosely through the abutment 35, upward, in the particular construction shown, and thus force the bent levers upward aga-instt-he abutment.

The bent levers are of such a coniguration that they have a bearing against the abut-` ment 35 between their ends. While this bearing may be provided for in any desired way, 1n the particular construction illustrated, the abutment is formed with lugs 47 to which are secured wear or track plates 48, these abutment wear or track plates being' held in position by screws 49, or 1n any other suitable manner. To allow the levers to move reely with respect` to the abutment plates 48, each voi. these levers is or may be provided with a pair of rolls 50, these rolls being supported on studs 51 which pass through the levers.

The construction being as described, it

will be understood that when pressure is brought to bear on the head 1, as, for instance, by placirg a bottle between the heads 1 and 2, the head 1 will tend to force the casing 32 and the abutment 35 downward. The tendency ofthe casing and abutment to move downward will, however, be resisted by the bent levers which are in contact with the double inclined face of the thrust block,

the levers being heldin position by the force of the spring 36.V Until 'the pressure on the head exceeds the predetermined limit which is proportional to the force or stress of the spring, there will be no action of the equallzmg mechanism. As soon, however, as the pressure on the head exceeds this predetermined linut, the force by which the spring holds the bent levers together is overcome.

and the thrust block enters between'the rolls 29 on the levers, swinging the-levers on-their pivot 30, the carrier 31 -moving downward .as the levers spread, the rollers 51 allowing the part on which the easy movement of the levers along the abutment tracks or wear plates. The increase in the force of the spring due to its increased stood that the nearer these sides are to the vertical, the less the resistance will be to the downward movement of the head. It is desirable, however, that a slight incline such as shown be given the sides of the thrust block to enable the spring to reset the mechanism, after pressure is removed from the head.

It will be observedthat the mechanism is exceedingly compact, it being possible to arrange the` parts of the equalizing mechanism and the head in the same line, so that the mechanism can be contained in a small compass. Furthermore, only a very slight relative movement between the thrust block and the coperating lever mechanism is necessary in order to relieve the pressure as soon as the predetermined limit is exceeded. Further, should it be desired to control the ra idity with which the pressure is released,

th1s can be done readily by roperly varying the conti ration of the t rust block and levers. he mechanism illustrated is designed to effect a practicall instantaneous re ease of the pressure a er the predetermined limit is reached.

When the invention is em loyed inconnection with a capping mac ine in which the cap is first seated upon the receptacle to be capped and then locked in posltion by forcing the flange of the cap under a shoulder on the receptacle, the particular means employed for forcing the flange of the ca underneath the shoulder on the receptac e may be of any desired character. As shown, .the forcing of the iange of the ctp under the shoulder of the rece tacle is e ected by means of spinning w eels 52 mounted on pivoted arms 53, the upper ends of these arms bearing on acone 54 carried above the head 2. As the head 2 moves up, therefore, the spinning wheels will be thrown into operative relation with the flange of the cap. The vspinning wheels may be driven p in' any suitable manner. AAs shown, there is provided a gear 55 which is connected to spinning wheel carrying arms are pivoted. his gear 55 is driven by suitable gearin (not shown) from a gear 56 mounted` on a ong vertical shaft 57. As

45 v them,'a pressure controlling device including v forming a part of the general casingof the machine. The lower end of the shaft 57 is splined to a sleeve 61, said sleeve being supported in a bracket 62. This sleeve 6l 1s provided with a bevel gear 63 which meshes with a bevel gear 64 mounted on the crank disk 14. v

The machine is preferably operated by the pulley 15 through a single revolution clutch which may be of any well-known description. Inasmuch as there are various forms of single revolution clutches well-known in the art which are applicable to the present use, and as a descrlpti'on of such a clutch vwill. not in any way conduce to an under-l standing of the present invention, a description thereof is omitted. The machine is or may be provided with a treadle by which the clutch 1s controlled.

While the construction illustrated embodies the invention in the best form now known, the invention may be embodied in constructions which differ widely therefrom. The invention is not, therefore, to be limited to the specific construction herein shown and described.

What is claimed is 1. In a pressure producing mechanism, the combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driving mechanism havlng a constant stroke, operating connections whereby the driving mechanism produces a relative movement between the heads, thus causing pressure to be exerted on an article between two members, one of which has abearing face with which the other is in shifting contact, said members being relatively movable under the pressure produced by the driving mechanism, and a resistance avainst which said relative movement takes ace.

2. In a pressure producing mechanism, the combination with a pair of pressure heads,

vof a driving mechanism having a constant stroke, operating connection-s whereby the driving mechanism produces a relative movement between the heads, thus causing pressure to be exerted on an article between them, A

a pressure controlling device including two members, one of which has an inclined bearing face with which the other is in shifting contact, said members being relativel movable under the pressure produced by the driving mechanism, and a resistance against which said relative movement takes place.

3. In a pressure producin mechanism, the combinatlon with a pair o? pressure heads, of a driving mechanism having a constant stroke, operating connections whereby the driving mechanism produces a relative movement between thev heads, thus causing pressure to be exerted on an article between them, a pressure controlling device including two members, one of which has an inclined bearing face wit-h which the other is in shifting contact, said members being relatively movable under the`pressure produced by the driving mechanism, and a spring normally under stress against which said relative movement takes place.

4. In a pressure producin mechanism, the combination with a pair o pressure heads, of a driving mechanism havmg a constant stroke, operating connections whereby the driving mechanism produces a relative movement between the heads, a pressure controlling device operatively connected with one ofthe heads, said device including a pair of arms and a thrust member having a bearing face provided with a double incline with which face said arms are in shifting contact, said arms and member being relatively movable under the pressure produced by the driving mechanism, and a spring normally under stress against which the relative movement of the arms and member takes place.

5. In a pressure producing mechanism,the combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driving mechanism having a constant stroke, operating connections whereby the driving mechanism produces a relative movement between 'the heads, a pressure controlling device operatively connected to one of the heads, said device including a pair of pivoted arms and a spreading thrust member with which the arms are in contact, said arms and thrustmember being relatively movable under pressure produced by the driving mechanism, and a spring normally under stress against which the relative movement of the arms and member takes place.

6. In a pressure producing mechanism, the combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driving mechanism having a constant stroke, operating connections whereby the driving mechanism produces a relative movement between the heads, a pair of movable arms connected with the heads, means vfor causing a movement of the arms to prevent more than a predetermined amount of pressure being exerted upon an article between the heads, and a spring lying between the arms and the head and serving to oppose the movement of the arms.

7. In a pressure producing mechanism, the combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driving mechanism having a contween the heads, and a spring lying between the arms and the head and serving to oppose the movement ofthe arms.

8. The combination with a pair of'pres-v sure heads, of a driver having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver effects a relative movement between the heads, a thrust member, a lever mechanism capacitated to be operatedby the thrust'member, said mechanism having a shifting contact with the member, a spring against the resistance of which the shift between the lever mechanism and the member occurs, said devices constituting pressure eontrolling means, and connections between the pressure controlling means and one ofthe heads, whereby the shift between the lever mechanism and the thrust member occurs. when more than a predetermined amount of pressure is exerted between the heads. y

9. The combination with a pair of pressnrehe'ad's, of a driver having a-constant stroke, connections whereby'the driver effects a relative movement between the heads, a thrust .member having a double inclined face, a lever mechanism including two arms in shifting contact with the thrust member, a spring under stress against the resistance of which the shift between the lever mechanism and the thrust member occurs, said devices constituting apressure controlling mechanism, and connections between the pressure controlling mechanism and oneof the heads whereby the shift between the lever mechanism and the thrust member oc# curs when more than a predetermined amount ofpressure is exerted between the heads.

10. The combination with a pair of pres- -sure heads, of a driver having a constant stroke, connectionsy whereby the driver effects arelative movement between the headsV a thrust member, a air of abutments one o which is located adjacent to the thrust member, said abutments being in line with the thrust member, a spring normally under.

stress between the'abutments, a lever mechanism between the thrust member and the ad'- jacent abutment, connections whereby the stress of the spring is exerted on the lever mechanism, and connections between one of the pressure heads andone of the abutments.

11. The combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driver having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver effects a relative movement between the heads, a thrust member having adouble inclined face, a lpair oi?4 abutments in line with the thrust member, a pairof lever arms between one of the abutments andthe thrust member` a spring normally under stress between the abutments, connections between one of the abutments and oneof the pressure heads, and connections whereby the stress of the spring is imparted to the lever arms.

12. lhe combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driver having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver eHeets a relative movement between the heads, a casing one end of which forms an abutment, said casin being in o erative connection with one ot ber, a lever mechanism between the abutment and the thrust member, a spring normally under stress in the casing, and connections between the spring and the lever mechanism.

13. The combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driver having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver effects' a relative movement between the heads, a casing one end ofwhich forms an abutment, said casin with one o the pressure heads, athrust member, a lever mechanism between the abuthe pressure eads', a thrust membeing in operative connection mally under stress in the casing, and adjustable connections between the spring and the lever mechanism.

14. The combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driver having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver effects a relative movement between the heads, a casing one end ofwhich forms an abutment, said casing being in operative connection with one of the pressure heads, a thrust member having a double inclined face, a pair of levers between the thrust member and the abutment, a spring normally under stress in the casing, and connections between the levez andthe spring.

15. The combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driver having a const-ant stroke, connections whereby the driver effects a relative movement between the heads, a casing, one end of which forms an abutment, said casin with one o the pressure heads, a pair of lever arms, an adjustable abutment in the casing, a spring between the abutments, and connections from the spring to the lever arms.

16. The combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driver having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver eHects a relative movement between the heads, a casing one end of which forms an abut-ment, a carrier passing loosely through the casing, a second abutment connected with the carrier, alever mechanism lsupported by the carrier, and a thrust member with which the lever mechanism eoperates.

17. The combination with a pair of pressure heads,-of a driver having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver effects a relative movement betweenjthe heads, a

casing one end orf/which forms an abutment, a carrier passing \loosely through the casing, a second labutment adj ustably connected with the carrier, a lever mechanism supported by the carrier, and a thrust member with which" the lever mechanism cooperates.

18. The combination with a pair of pres-V sure heads, of a driver having a constant v stroke, connections whereby the driver eiects a relative movement between the heads, a

the pressure heads, one end of said casing' casing in operative connection with one of the heads, a spring normally under stress in the casing, means for adjusting the stress of the spring, a pair of levers connected with the spring, and a thrust member having a double inclined face cooperating with the levers. d

20. The combination with a pair, of pressure heads, of a 'driver` having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver effects a relative movement between the heads, a pressure controlling mechanism including a pair of rock levers, a thrust member, a spring, connections whereby the spring opposes the movement of the levers, said de vices being in line with the heads, and connections whereby more'than a predetermined amount of pressure on one of the heads causes the thrust member to operate the levers andA permit a movement of said head.

2l. The combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driver having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver effects a rela-tive movement between the heads, a pressure controlling mechanism including a pair of rock levers, a thrust member having a double inclined face, a spring, connections whereby the spring ,opposes the movement of the levers, said devices being in line with the heads, and connections whereby more than a redetermined amount of pressure on one o the heads causes the thrust member to operate the levers and permit a movement of said head.

22. The combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driver having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver ef-A fects a relative movement between the heads, a casing inoperative relation with .one of forming an abutment, a carrier movable throughthe casing, a pair of bent levers pivoted von the carrier and having a bearing against the abutment, a thrust member having 'a double inclined face coperatin with the levers, a spring 1n the easing, an connections from the spring to the carrier.

The combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driver-having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver eftects a relative movement between the heads, a thrust block, a pair of levers coperating with the thrust block, a resistance for opposing the movement of the levers under the action of the thrust block, said devices constituting a controlling mechanism, and connections from said mechanism to one of the heads, whereby more than a predetermined amount of pressure exerted between the heads causes the thrust block to operate the movement of one of the levers and permit a heads.

24.- The combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driver having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver effects arelative movement between the heads, an abutment, 'a 'carrier movable through the abutment, a pair of bent levers mounted on the carrier, a spring bearing against the abutment, connections between vthe carrier and the spring, whereby the levers are held to' bear against the abutment, a connection between the abutment and one of the heads, and a thrust member cooperating with the levers.

25. T he combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driver having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver effects a relative movement between the heads,

van abutment, a carrier movable through the abutment, al pair of bent levers mounted on the carrier, a spring bearing against the abutment, connections between the carrier and the spring, whereby the levers are held to bear against the abutment, a connection between the abutment and one of the heads, and a thrust member having a double inclined face cooperating with the levers.

2G. The combination with a pair of pressure heads, of a driver having a constant stroke, connections whereby the driver effects a relative movement between the heads, an abutment, a carrier movable through the abutment, a pair of bent levers mounted on the carrier, al spring bearing against the abutment, connections between the carrier and the spring, whereby the levers are held to bear a ainst the abutment,.a connection witnesses. Y

- CHARLES P. HIDDEN Witnesses A. WHITE, JAMES It. RICE. 

